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Science News for July 3, 2018


Guiding sound waves through a maze

A team of researchers from TU Wien has successfully guided sound waves through an air-filled tube containing irregular obstacles using their wave manipulation concept. By precisely controlling loudspeakers along the tube, they were able to counteract complex dispersal and enable the sound wave to pass with minimal restriction.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 3, 2018

Sound waves could provide 'liquid biopsies'

Researchers at Duke University have developed a sound wave-based platform that can separate circulating tumor cells from blood samples with high efficiency, making it suitable for clinical use. The technology uses acoustic force to push larger cancer cells into a separate channel, preserving the functions and native states of the cells.

SourceDuke University·JournalSmall·DateJul 3, 2018

Spearfishing makes fishes more timid

Researchers found that fish adjust their escape behavior and keep a safe distance outside the shooting range when a speargun is present. The level of timidity varies depending on the size of the fish, type of diver, and location within protected areas.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateJul 3, 2018

Personality pressure

A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that natural selection can favor different personality types in lizards, affecting their behavior and survival. In the experiment, bold lizards were found to survive longer when predators were present, but their mortality increased when predators were absent.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2018

Scientists identify mechanism that may explain why males are more at risk than females for neurodevelopmental disorders

Researchers have identified O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) as a key molecule responsible for the sex-specific patterns of gene expression. High levels of H3K27me3 in the female placenta produce resilience to stress, which may explain why females are less susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders than males.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

When oil and water mix

A new paper by Daniel J. Soeder and Douglas B. Kent summarizes the environmental impacts of shale development, providing a balanced understanding of fracking's merits and demerits. The study addresses various potential impacts of fracking, offering insights for non-geoscientists and experts alike.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJul 3, 2018

Feeling young could mean your brain is aging more slowly

Researchers found that elderly people who feel younger than their age show fewer signs of brain aging and have increased gray matter volume in key brain regions. This suggests that caring for brain health may be important for those who feel older than their age.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateJul 3, 2018

The impact of the sugar tax in Chile: A bittersweet success?

A new study reveals that Chile's sugar tax led to a significant decrease in the purchase volume of sugary soft drinks, particularly among high socioeconomic groups. However, the reduction was statistically insignificant for low-income groups, suggesting that further evaluations are needed to address socioeconomic inequalities.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Testosterone increases men's preference for status goods

A study published in Nature Communications found that testosterone increases men's preference for luxury products associated with high social status, rather than power or quality. The research team tested 243 male participants and found a causal link between testosterone levels and increased liking for status-enhancing goods.

SourceINSEAD·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

UTA urban researcher shows impact of urban sprawl on life expectancy, innovation hubs

A recent study by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Shima Hamidi finds a correlation between urban sprawl and decreased life expectancy in the US. The study suggests that changes in urban planning and building practices can help improve quality-of-life issues, including life expectancy and economic mobility.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 3, 2018

Self-healing seed pods

Researchers discovered a self-sealing mechanism in the seed pods of Banksia plants, where special waxes melt at 45-55°C to seal small cracks. This adaptation protects seeds from environmental challenges, such as moisture and pathogens, and may have potential applications for dimensionally stable wood.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJul 3, 2018

Creating room to breathe on the microscale

A new microfluidics technique has been developed to construct microchannels with efficient gas exchange, potentially delivering nearly a third of the oxygen needed by preterm newborns. The design uses both sides of the membrane for gas exchange and is more effective than previous single-sided counterparts.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJul 3, 2018

3D printing achieves more accurate and precise physical models from patient imaging data

Researchers developed a rapid method for creating highly detailed physical models directly from volumetric data stacks, overcoming current limitations in 3D data processing workflows. The new approach enables accurate anatomical details to be replicated in 3D-printed models, improving diagnostics and presurgical planning.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateJul 3, 2018

Study finds new genomic regions associated to weight gain in Nelore cattle

A Brazilian research project has identified six genomic regions linked to weight gain in Nelore cattle, a breed adapted to tropical climates. The study, led by Diercles Cardoso, used DNA analysis to pinpoint genes associated with growth and weight gain, offering potential for improvement of the breed's food efficiency.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGenetics Selection Evolution·DateJul 3, 2018

A novel switch to control genome editing

Researchers at University of Bath and Cardiff University have developed a novel switch to control genome editing, enabling reliable protein expression on demand. The switch uses a cheap, non-toxic amino acid as the control mechanism, addressing concerns over antibiotic resistance and 'leakiness'.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2018

A first look at interstitial fluid flow in the brain

A team of researchers has developed a new method to measure and reconstruct interstitial fluid flow velocities in the brain. The technique reveals high variability in flow rates and magnitudes, contradicting the classical idea of a uniform flow rate. This discovery could potentially help predict tumor growth and improve cancer treatments.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateJul 3, 2018

Pelvic exams do not help diagnose STDs in adolescent girls, study says

A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that pelvic exams lack reliability and provide little new information for diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescent females. The study's authors argue that rapid urine STD testing provides a more accurate and less invasive way to diagnose these diseases.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Energizing eggs with a patient's own mitochondria offers no benefit in assisted reproduction

A randomized trial tested the effectiveness of energizing eggs with a patient's own mitochondria in assisted reproduction. The procedure was found to have no impact on pregnancy or live birth rates, contradicting previous claims. The study suggests that the technique is not beneficial for patients with a poor prognosis for success.

Gulf Stream eddies as a source of iron

Researchers from ETH Zurich have found that cold, iron-rich seawater from the North American continental slope is captured by meanders of the Gulf Stream and carried out to the North Atlantic Gyre, enriching it with iron. The study suggests that this source may deliver up to 15% of the iron delivered by Saharan dust.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 3, 2018

Illinois child care providers need resources to serve children with disabilities

A recent statewide survey of Illinois child care providers and early interventionists reveals that many struggle to accommodate infants and toddlers with disabilities in their settings. The study highlights the need for training and resources to support caregivers in identifying and supporting children with disabilities. The findings e...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEarly Childhood Education Journal·DateJul 3, 2018